HC Deb 25 October 1967 vol 751 c509W
Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Postmaster-General (1) how many people in the United Kingdom are at present waiting for a telephone service to be installed in their homes; and what would be the capital cost of installing them;

(2) how many applications for private telephones in the United Kingdom have been outstanding for one year or more and six months or more, respectively.

Mr. Edward Short

At 30th September, 1967, there were 110,436 applicants waiting for telephones, of whom 28,985 have been waiting between six and twelve months, and 18,049 for a year or more. Seperate figures in respect of applicants for private telephones are not available, but the majority of those waiting will be in this category.

When equipment and plant is available as part of a phased development programme, the average installation cost of a subscriber's line is about £150. To provide service for existing waiting applications in isolation is impracticable because

000s
Period Total Production For home market Imports Exports
1.8.62–31.7.63 1,424.2 (+5.1%) 839.0 (+6.5%) 42.5 (+76.5%) 567.1 (-2.3%)
1.8.63–31.7.64 1,835.3 (-18.4%) 1,114.0 (-19.8%) 58.7 (+27.8%) 682.5 (-18.8%)
1.8.64–31.7.65 1,882.3 (-20.5%) 1,219.2 (-26.8%) 58.5 (+28.2%) 644.4 (-14.0%)
1.8.65–31.7.66 1,718.2 (-12.9%) 1,076.9 (-17.0%) 67.7 (+10.8%) 593.2 (- 6.6%)
1.8.66–31.7.67 1,497.0 893.4 75.0 553.9

94. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Minister of Technology if he will seek powers to acquire those units of the British motor-car industry not owned by American companies.

Mr. Benn

No.